Porter Elwood Ward

WARD, PORTER ELWOOD

Distinguished and charming Hydrologist, PORTER ELWOOD WARD, transitioned on Wednesday, August 13, 2003. Porter was born in Gainesville, TX and after finishing high school in Sterling, KS in three years, enlisted in the Navy and flew in the Pacific theater in world War II. He graduated from Oklahoma State University. Porter enjoyed a long career with the US Geological Survey (USGS), which began in Oklahoma and took him and his wife, Pat, to Guam and Puerto Rico, where he spent years becoming an expert on island ground water systems. Porter ended his career at USGS Headquarters in Washington, DC in Senior Executive Service, as the Chief of the Water Resources Division. He worked as an Advisor in the White House and another notable assignment was participating on an international team which developed a potable water system for the country of Saudi Arabia. Porter enjoyed working on stringed instruments, antiques, his home and gardens. After he retired in 1985, his passion became world travel, which he enjoyed with his family and friends several times yearly. His travels led him to discover birding which complemented his lifelong love of the outdoors and the environment. After retirement, he consulted for the US Environmental Protection Agency, volunteered with the Fairfax County Park Authority, and was the Editor and President for the Water Resources Division (WRD) Retirees. He continued to travel extensively learning birding and had birds on his "life list" from all over the world. He is remembered for his level reasoning and his sharp wit, always quibbling with friends and making new friends wherever he went. His wife preceded him in death in 1989. He is survived by his sister, Jo Hiebert of Boulder, CO; his brother, Russ Gibson of Lubbock, TX; his daughter, Debby Ward of Vienna, VA; and his dearly loved companion, Teresa Swain of Arlington, VA. We love you. Friends may call at MONEY & KING VIENNA FUNERAL HOME, INC., 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA, on Monday, August 18, 2003, from 7 to 9 p.m., where celebration of life service will be held on Tuesday, August 19 at 11 a.m. Interment private. Donations may be made to the Nature Conservancy; or to Hospice of Northern Virginia.